Caffeine is a substance extracted from coffee beans. When ingested, usually through coffee, it increases alertness by blocking receptors in the brain that receive the signals that tell you it’s time to go to sleep.

As much as caffeine has positive effects in your system, it also has its negatives depending on how much you consume it. The higher the intake, the more tolerance you build to it, which can lead to what you know as “coffee jitters”.

Here are a few steps you can take to reduce the effects of drinking too much coffee:

1. Drink lots of water
After five hundred milligrams, your body will start to signal that you are dehydrated. Your urine will start to look dark yellow or even orange, which is a sign that you need to drink more water.

Caffeine doesn’t trigger dehydration unless you drank 500 milligrams. As long as you stick to one or two cups of coffee a day, you should be able to steer clear of heart palpitations and jumpiness.

2. Do mild exercises
A little bit of stretching might help here and there, as well as a walk down a hallway or a flight of stairs. Doing mild physical activity will help your system calm down, and will allow your heart to return to its normal rate.

3. Eat a banana or two
… or other foods that are rich in potassium and magnesium, including dark leafy greens such as bok choi.

If the symptoms of drinking too much coffee, such as elevated heart rate, migraine, and nervousness, are relatively mild, you can easily wait them out by avoiding coffee and other caffeinated beverages.

4. Take a few deep breaths
Once you start experiencing the effects of too much caffeine, the first and most immediate method of calming down is to breathe deeply. The increased intake of oxygen in the lungs will counteract the antioxidant effects of caffeine and help your system return to normal.

It also helps you to calm down psychologically. While it may not have any immediate effects, taking in more oxygen will allow your brain to return to a more normal rate as it is using up a lot of nutrients in the body.

5. Get some shut-eye
The best way to deal with the symptoms of drinking too much caffeine is to simply get enough sleep and limit your coffee consumption.

The most common reasons for drinking more than three cups of coffee include not getting enough sleep the night before, which in turn leads to an increase in the signals in the brain telling you to sleep.

While blocking them with increasing amounts of caffeine will give you a temporary boost of alertness and energy, your system will eventually crash once the effects wear off.

Whether it’s because your dryer isn’t working or that it’s raining heavily outside, chances are that you’ve had to line dry your clothes indoors. This makes rainy days quite the headache for anyone at home who’s ever had to do the laundry, especially for those who can’t afford dryers in the first place.

However, there are still a few ways to dry your clothes indoors, such as:

1. Keeping your house warm
Heating your house (or the area where you will be drying your laundry) will help to pull out the moisture out of your wet clothes. However, if your house is still humid, it would still take a long time for your laundry to dry.

2. Giving everything enough space
A folding rack may work well for small things, such as socks and undergarments, but may not be cut out for bigger items such as shirts, pants, or even towels.

When drying clothes indoors, the trick is to give everything enough space for air to flow, which means allowing space between them. One of the ways you can do this is by using the curtain and shower rods to hang your laundry, or even drape your jeans, dresses, and towels.

3. Using a hairdryer
A hairdryer may work well for smaller articles of clothing, such as socks, handkerchiefs, and undergarments. However, this may still take up a lot of power, and could result in your dryer overheating. Be sure to only use your hairdryer sparingly to keep it in good condition.

4. Using a dehumidifier or an electric fan
An electric fan will work fine when run on full blast, but this only works for moist (not wet) clothes, and will take just as long to dry. What you really need from an electric fan is to make sure the air constantly circulates around your clothes. If it becomes stale, your clothes could start to smell.

This leaves you with a dehumidifier. Not only does this keep a room from being filled with mildew and dampness, but it also works great for drying large amounts of laundry. With a dehumidifier, laundry can be dried indoors with ease, and it’s also very easy to use.

5. Use cold water when doing laundry
Lastly, when doing laundry during the rainy days, it may seem counter-intuitive to use cold water if the weather itself is cold, but doing so could save you a lot of time and energy later on.

Because doing laundry in bulk during this time will make it more likely for clothes with bright colors, such as red or orange, to bleed into other clothes, using cold water will prevent this from happening. Color-safe bleach will also be a big help to you in this case.

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Plumbing leaks are a threat to your home. They can be quite hazardous and can cause structural damages at most unexpected times. The good thing, however, is that you don’t have to be a master to keep your plumbing system intact. You only need to know the basics, and leave the rest to a professional plumbing contractor. Here are some smart facts about plumbing that will save you from more expensive repairs in the future.

1. Leaks are easy to spot anytime

You may not have an idea of the cause of the leak, but you will certainly know if you have a leak somewhere in your home. With keen eyes and basic knowledge about plumbing services, you should be able to know if there’s a leak in your home. Look out for puddles of water in the basement, rusted pipes and water drops from pipes.

2. Leaky water heaters could mean they’re dead.

This is hard, but true. When the lining of your water heater wears out, you will find water dripping from the base of your heater. This one is quite costly to repair, and you might be forced to get a new one. However, if your warranty is still valid, going back to your manufacturer will save you loads of cash. One simple tip, though: have a professional plumber carry out regular maintenance on your water heater.

3. Learn to read your water meter and water bill

To make sure you’re billed right, always check your usage with each bill and deal with leaks right away. Your water company or your 24 hours plumber like http://www.superplumbers.sg/ from Singapore can help you read your meter and your bill. If you have questions about your water bill or want the figures stated in your bill explained to you, call the contact number printed on your bill sheet. Your water company should be able to explain to you the details of your billing.

4. A stuffed sink is a common cause

Keep an eye on the area under your sink. Homeowners tend to pack so much in this area with cleaning supplies that it easily gets an out-of-sight-out-of-mind area. What’s worse, the pipes under the sink are used to hang wet rags, which shouldn’t be as it puts pressure on the pipes and may eventually cause the pipes to burst due to extra weight. Make sure you are aware of what’s going on under your sink to ensure that your kitchen sink piping is in its best working condition.
5. It’s possible to fix certain shower leaks yourself

If there’s water dripping from your shower spout, usually the cause is a worn out washer. As long as there’s isolation valves to isolate water supply to that area, fixing this leak should be easy. Isolate the water to the shower, disassemble the handle and take out the worn out washer. Then, replace it with a new one, reinstall and observe the water works with the new washer installed.

6. Faucets don’t last forever

A faucet is the mechanical part of the plumbing system, so eventually it is going to break and leak water from it. Some people do not replace the pre-installed faucet, while others prefer a new one for decorative purpose. There comes a point at which a faucet becomes too corroded and old that it would be difficult to get parts for it. Most of the time, it’s simply a lot cheaper to just install a new one.

7. Wrap pipe to maintain heat

Water pipes outside your home can freeze with very cold temperature when water isn’t used. Fortunately, this isn’t much of a problem for homeowners in Singapore. But for places with cool season that gets extremely cold, pipes can easily freeze. The only time water won’t freeze is when it’s moving, so it is a good idea to leave a few of your faucets slightly open, enough to release a drop of water every few seconds, when away from home for a any length of time. However, this would best if you also insulate the pipes to maintain a bit of warmth.

8. Water pressure also contributes to leaking problems

The maximum water pressure for a residence is 80 psi, and it should maintain a constant pressure to prevent leaks. An easy-to-use water pressure gauge can be used and can be purchased for around S$20. If you don’t know where to find one, you can ask your reliable plumber to get you one or call your water company to provide you with one.

9. It’s crucial to keep gas supply shut off when not in use

Every adult in the house should know how to shut off the gas supply to the home. Educate yourself on the gas supply that comes into your home and in every appliance that’s powered by gas. If there’s problem with a certain appliance, you can save time by shutting off the gas supply at a specific location.

10. Working with a professional is inarguably your safest option

Working with a professional plumbing services company in Singapore with highly trained and experienced plumber is your safest and most accurate plumbing solution. They are the ones who can easily detect the issues and severity of the problems. In case of replacement of parts, these professionals know what to purchase and where to buy the parts for more efficient plumbing works.

Plumbing is among the household subjects that tend to be ignored, until a bigger and inconvenient issue arises. It’s a must to be more hands-on and be educated with your plumbing system, so you can detect a small problem before it becomes an emergency.

There’s nothing quite like emerging from the shower, feeling fresh with skin all smooth and soft. But the fun shouldn’t stop the moment you step out of the bathroom – your favourite body wash can do a lot more besides moisturizing and cleansing your skin. Curious? Well, here’s how you can make the most out of this shower staple.

1. Bubble Bath Solution
If your idea of a perfect bath is soaking in a tub brimming with bouncy, fragrant bubble, then your body wash can substitute for your favourite pricey bath bomb in a pinch. You just need to squeeze a few dollops of your body wash to get enough foam, but if you want to experience a major bubble action, then feel free to pour as much solution as you want into your water-filled bathtub.

2. Shaving Cream
Need to shave at the last minute, but ran out of shaving cream? If so, then your body wash can work as a substitute. Don’t worry about getting a smooth close shave, as it doesn’t require that much to produce enough foam. All you’ve got to do is lather on a drop of body wash and you can already start shaving.

3. Body Exfoliator
Simply pour your body wash into a dispenser, add some sugar and you now have an instant body scrub. If the granules are a bit rough on your skin, fix the mixture by adding a bit of coconut oil. With this, you’ll have a glowing and smooth skin in no time.

4. Massage Cream
If you’re in dire need of some good pampering, then taking a hot shower can be a good alternative to a massage. Your body wash can be as a great as a massage cream. Start by getting your fingers gliding smoothly against your skin. Massage your muscle in circular motions, and zero in on areas with cellulite to help increase blood circulation and make the marks less noticeable.

5. Perfume Base
Experts recommend layering scents to make your perfume last longer. So if you want to make the most out of your chosen fragrance, start your perfume ritual with your body wash. Purchase a body wash with the same scent as your perfume and use it every bath time. Just a drop of it on your cleansing puff or loofah will already give you a heavenly, rich lather that you can use to cleanse and pamper your skin.

Apart from cleansing your body, your body wash can also work as a good alternative for any of the aforementioned products. So be sure to purchase the right body wash for your needs to enjoy a relaxing bath every day.

We all have that one friend who seems to have her financial act together. She’s the one who knows down to the last penny of her savings, and can explain to you what it means to diversify your investments. This kind of financial mastery doesn’t just happen by accident – if anything, it’s a result of practising good life habits. The good news is with just a little focus and effort, you can also practise these habits into your own life. Here, we listed down some of the things that every financially smart woman does so she stays financially responsible.

1. She Knows Her Net Worth
A person’s net worth is the key measure of his or her financial health. But while it’s not the only thing that matters, it’s certainly one of the ways to monitor your progress toward your personal financial goals. Doing a few minutes of calculation every month will give you an accurate view of your overall financial status. Are your planning to invest on a new home, or setting yourself up well for your retirement? If so, then you’ll want to know if you’re moving your savings toward the right assets, and if your debt balances are not eating away at your savings.

2. She Creates a Weekly Budget
Budgeting can actually be a great financial tool when it’s done frequently. While it seems easiest to just sit down and plan your budget several times a year, financially smart ladies make budgeting a part of their weekly routine. So get into the habit of looking at your account balances every week – especially, where and how your money is spent. Course correcting your financial goals will be much easier if you’re routinely checking on these indicators.

3. She Keeps Her Lifestyle in Check
Financially smart women are the ones who always have that admirable self-restraint when it comes to purchasing things that they don’t really need. It may seem basic, but little purchases you make could accumulate over time and chip away at your overall financial security. This happens mostly when you start to earn extra money, so be conscious of it around unexpected raises and promotions. If possible, take advantage of your year-end credit card statements as it often breaks out the categories in which you spend your money.

4. She Strategically Deals With Her Debts
It’s impossible to get starts in life debt-free, which is why having a good strategy to manage your debts is essential. This means paying off the highest interest credit cards first, or creating a plan to start with the little bills and then rolling towards the biggest debts over time. Whatever plan you have, make it a habit to review your overall liabilities regularly, while keeping tabs on the variable interest rates on a monthly basis.

Becoming a money savvy girl isn’t as difficult as you think. In fact, simply following and practising the aforementioned habits is already enough to turn you into a financially responsible individual.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a workout routine that alternates between intense burst of exercise and short recovery period. One example is running as fast as you can for a minute, and then walking for two minutes. Repeat this three-minute interval for 15 minutes to get the most fat-burning effect. It sounds too simple to be effective, but the intense burst of exercise is what makes the training more fat-burning than the traditional workout. Read on for more benefits of HIIT.

1. It’s Efficient

HIIT is an ideal workout for busy people. Research shows that you can achieve more progress in a 15-minute HIIT routine (done three times a week) than a one-hour jogging on a treadmill. In just two weeks of interval training, you can improve your stamina as much as six weeks of endurance training.

2. It Burns More Fat

Looking to lose those love handles? HIIT can take care of that faster than other forms of exercise. The effects of your high-intensity training kick your body’s natural repair process into hyperdrive, meaning you continuously burn fat in the next 24 hours after working out, not just during the workout.

3. It Burns More Calories

A 10-minute HIIT can burn more calories than a 30-minute run on a treadmill. Plus, just as you burn fat during the next 24 hours after the training, you will also burn more calories post-HIIT as well.

4. Less Equipment Is Needed

One of the best things about HIIT is that you get an intense workout sans the equipment. This means, even if you do not have access to a gym, don’t have dumbbells and kettlebells at home or you travel a lot, you can still workout. Burpees, squats, sprints, high knees—there are so many ways to sweat by just using your own bodyweight.
5. You Won’t Get Bored

This isn’t a workout you can do while chatting with a friend or reading a magazine. Because HIIT is too short and constantly changes, you will be working hard the entire time. You may feel sore, you may be out of breath, but you will never get bored. (Hint: If you ever feel bored during an HIIT session, it’s time to up your intensity level.)

What’s not to love about HIIT? It’s efficient, quick and delivers fast results. These are just a few of the many benefits you’ll get with high-intensity interval training.

The world certainly has changed after the proliferation of social networking sites. Twitter and Facebook became a ‘hang-out’ place in the cyberspace, while Pinterest and Instagram embodied virtual shopping centres. But aside from serving as a means of communication with your family and friends, social media also became an avenue to get a job and earn money. We listed down some career options that a social media-savvy person like you could earn a living from.

1. Social Media Strategist

More commonly known as a social media specialist, a social media strategist is someone who monitors the latest trends on social media and thinks of ways on how companies can incorporate these trends into their business strategies. Being a social media strategist requires an excellent knowledge of popular social media platforms, as well as a multitude of other skills like superb communication skills and team management.

2. Social Media Influencer

A social media influencer could mean a lot of things, but this job typically involves someone with a huge social media following and is highly engaged with his or her audience. To be an effective “influencer”, first you need to establish yourself on the interwebs. Then you need to develop great interpersonal skills and an ability to create unique content (i.e. stories and videos).

3. Copywriter

Whether its updates for Twitter and Facebook, website copy or blog posts, there’s always a high demand for skilled writers. Although no formal qualifications are necessary to become a copywriter, some organizations in Singapore tend to favour applicants with previous experiences in writing for various purposes and mediums. To increase your chances of landing a copywriting job, practice your writing skills through running an online blog.

4. Online Community Manager

Establishing a brand online isn’t easy, which is why social media-savvy individuals have an advantage at securing this position. As a community manager, you basically become the face of the company – you handle everything from content creation, social media marketing, and even client relations. Although this role tends to be data focused, you also need to have a strong emotional intelligence to veer negative comments in a way that places the company in a positive light.

5. Marketing Communications Director

Applied your social media skills on your previous jobs? Then becoming a marketing communications director could be the next big step in your career. Think of this job as a combination of an online community manager and a marketing consultant. In some companies, however, a marketing communications director is also tasked to handle email marketing, web design and SEO. Since you’ll be in-charge of the traditional and modern marketing campaigns, it’s also crucial that you possess strong analytical and communication skills.

If you want to generate a substantial income from through social media, then it’s definitely worth looking into any of these career options. Simply establish important connections and show your initiative, and none of these jobs will be out of your reach.

Hope, fear and excitement—these are just some of the contradicting emotions you may feel when travelling for the first time. To compensate for any lack of knowledge about your destination, you’d likely be tempted to stick to guidebooks and roam around with groups instead of having your own authentic experience of the place. But if you want more memorable and fun experiences to talk about when you return home, here’s how to make it better on your first.

1. Face Your Fears

Taking the first jump really is scary, but you’re not the first person to explore the world, and it’s not like you’re discovering new islands or uninhabited land. There are well-used trails and guidebooks to direct you to the right way. If millions of people get to travel the world and return home safely, so can you.

2. Take it Slow

With limited vacation time, it can really get tempting to squeeze in as much places as you can visit. And in result, all you have are photos and a whirlwind of experiences. While it can be fun, you have no real knowledge about the places you have visited. The best you can do is to simply not rush things. Take a stroll in the park or just sit in a cafe, while watching the people around you and absorbing the beauty and culture of the place you’re in.

3. Pack Light

Forget about packing toiletries. Even if they’re in travel-sized containers, they’ll still take up precious spaces in your backpack. Moreover, if you pack light, it’ll be less physically stressful for you to move around. When preparing for your trip, get yourself a small travel bag so you won’t be tempted to over pack. Trust us, you can buy almost everything you need along the way.

4. Don’t be Shy

If you’re an introvert and afraid to mingle, just keep in mind that everyone else also knows no one. Everyone around you are solo travellers also looking for a friend. Just say ‘hi’ and most likely things will fall into place. Nobody turns down a nice approach and, who knows, you could even someone who can show you more of the world.

5. Be Adventurous

This might be easier said than done, but while you feel scared to jump off a boat or swing from a canyon, you won’t regret it after it’s done. Keep challenging yourself. Try things you’ve never done before. You may hate doing some of it, but later you’d be glad you did. You’ll walk away proud and more confident of yourself.

It’s alright to feel nervous when taking a leap to the unknown.
That’s normal, but you should not let fear stop you. Discovering new things and experiences will help you grow and become a better version of yourself.

There will always be times when you’ll be wake up and find weird things on your skin, such as a dull complexion or a surprise zit. Fret not though, since we found some genius and fast-acting solutions that you can use to easily tame your misbehaving complexion.

1. Sudden Acne Breakout

Woke up to a huge, red zit on your forehead? Worry not, for applying sulphur and salicylic acid can already handle this skin emergency. Most women consider sulphur as a miracle ingredient, as it aids in rapidly reducing the size of a pimple. It’s also 100 percent natural, making it safe to use on every skin type. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, targets the oil-producing glands in your pores and exfoliates your skin to get rid of blackhead, whiteheads and pimples.

2. Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles

There are a lot ways on how you can deal with these skin emergencies. For instance, you can put cucumber slices over your eyelids for 10 minutes for a natural and quick fix. You can also stat using under-eye products that contain peptides and vegetarian hyaluronic acid to keep you from getting those raccoon eyes.

3. Patchy Skin

Whether or not you have oily skin, it’s still possible to get dry patches on your skin because of the weather or the bad air-conditioning. Fortunately, you can easily deal with this skin emergency by just dabbing a few drops of serum or gel moisturizer on the dry and patchy area.

4. Dull Skin

An instant fix to this skin emergency is to simply dab a creamy blush on the apples of your cheeks, and set your makeup look with a finely-milled luminous setting powder. You can also rub an ice cube over your face to stimulate blood circulation and freshen up your fatigued skin. It’ll even help in tightening the large pores on your skin, causing your face to appear softer and smoother.

5. Shiny T-Zone

Powdering and caking your face might seem like a good option when it comes to dealing with a shiny T-zone, but blotting it with a mattifying primer is actually a better and quicker solution. Other than that, you can also use facial scrubs to control the oiliness and keep your pores clean.

While these solutions will certainly help you deal with your skin emergencies, practising a good skincare routine will always be the key to waking up to a glowing and flawless complexion.

Starting and making a property management business grow is not that easy. You need to consider a lot of things when you’re planning on getting into this kind of business. So here are some tips that can possibly help you with your business:

1. Increase your publicity
It is a very important part of any type of business out there, which includes property management too. To make your business grow more, you need to learn to market it. Get into the new trend, which is creating a Facebook page, a website for your business or even a blog. You can also send some write-ups about your business to some local press in Singapore. These things can help in attracting the attention of the people towards your business.

2. Get into social networking sites
Since it has already become a trend in any business nowadays, get into social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest. Create pages or accounts in the said sites and promote your business there. Write about your business, what it can offer to your potential clients, your target market and what your clients would like to know. Being active in social networking sites where people find out information like where to get good condo property management in Singapore can help in increasing your publicity and might even open bigger opportunities for you.

3. Treat the expenses in your business as investments
This is important since you will be maintaining your property and spending a little amount to improve it can actually be beneficial for you in the long run. If you’re planning on modernizing your equipments or appliances, go for the better version since it will possibly last longer and would also attract potential clients. So, don’t just go cutting your expenses when you think it’s too much since spending a little more will probably help in reducing your problems with future maintenance needs.

4. Look at things from your client’s eyes
The best way to sell yourself or your business to your potential clients is to look know what they really want from you. View things as if you are the client and think of things that you would want to get. Keeping the question “How would I want my estate to be like?” in mind would probably become helpful in knowing what your client really wants.

5. Expand your revenues sources
When looking for new revenue sources, you might as well want to be creative right? If your business in Singapore is in a form of a commercial property in then why don’t you try putting up business centers in it or if it’s a residential property, try setting up caretaker services. It’s just all about the approach and gimmick that you will use to get more revenues for your business.

You can actually try out other ways to make your business grow, like trying new trends fit for your business. It would just be up to your technique as to how you can gain publicity and attract potential clients for your business.

For a traveler, it’s an unwritten rule to take pictures, buy souvenirs and visit the most famous sites. But for those who want to immerse in the local culture, the best way to experience it is to explore its literature. Books are a gateway for the adventurer. In Singapore, a variety of specialty bookstores will make an avid reader feel like there’s heaven on earth. There are many bookstores that cater to every fancy, whether you’re hunting for classics or you want to buy your kids new books. We list down some of the best bookstores you should check out while in Singapore.

BooksActually supports local independent publishers in Singapore. When you’re not browsing through their shelves, you could enjoy the view in the neighborhood. It has a branch called Polymath & Crust which specializes in non-fiction books.

Wood Would is a must-see if you like journals, cards and small items for your collection or as gifts for loved ones. The ambiance of the store would take you down memory lane.

Gohd Books is a perfect go-to place for those who are looking for out-of-print or rare books. If you’re hunting for classics to decorate your shelves, Gohd Books specializes in collectible books. They also have scheduled events and exhibits.

UrbanWrite has almost everything you need from stationeries to office supplies. They also sell books at competitive prices.

Popular bookstore has a selection of Chinese books as well as titles from almost any fiction and non-fiction genre. Aptly named Popular, it is also the oldest bookstore chain in Singapore.

Times Bookstores is a specialized shop that has a selection of travel books and guides. It also has other titles but primarily sells books for the curious traveler.

Basheer Graphic Books. Need books on art, design and graphics? Basheer Graphic Books has everything you need. The colorful shelves are also a feast for the eyes.

Grassland Book Store is the place to go if you’re on a tight budget. They have shelves of cheap books, stationeries and other school materials.

Select Books is a must-see if you’re a history buff. Books about and every topic related to Asia can be found here. They also hold events that promote the rich Southeast Asian culture.

Woods in the Books. Take your kids to this delightful little shop. It specializes in children’s titles for the young and young-at-heart.

Littered with Books is an independent bookstore located in a conservation shophouse. They also hold book events and launches.

Big Bookshop is one of the oldest in Singapore. They offer different titles at affordable prices.

Kinokuniya is a Japanese chain bookstore. It’s worth the time if you’re looking for a selection of Japanese books and magazines. It’s also the biggest bookstore in Singapore that sells titles in different languages.

Cat Socrates is recommended if you’re looking for memorabilia when you’re in Singapore. If you’re a cat lover, you’ll be delighted at its cat-themed displays.

We use our eyes for almost any activity. Yet we often overlook its importance until we feel something wrong. Like in most health issues, the old adage still applies to eye care: prevention is better than the cure. Here are some things to observe to keep your eyes healthy.

Wear sunglasses when you’re going out or use safety eyewear when necessary

Wearing shades will protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. Choose the right sunglasses that have real UVA and UVB protection. If you often drive, use polarized lenses to minimize the glare.

Use of protective eyewear such as goggles and eye guards will prevent injuries when you’re doing sports or other activities at home or work.

Eat healthy food and don’t forget to exercise

Maintaining your weight will help keep diabetes away. Diabetes is one of the causes of eye diseases. Eat healthy food that are good for your eyes such as fruits and vegetables.

Early intervention of eye problems

Knowing your family history will help you anticipate future problems. Some eye diseases are hereditary. It will also be helpful to check if family members have diabetes so you can go for check-ups when necessary. Diabetic eye diseases can be bothersome. Some vision problems and age-related problems don’t come with warning signs. It is best to go to an ophthalmologist for a check-up.

Avoid eye fatigue when staring at the screen or monitor too long

We rely on computers and gadgets at school, work and even at home. Give your eyes a few minutes of rest. Get enough sleep everyday. Eye fatigue can decrease your productivity and may even lead to serious problems.

Take care of your contact lenses and wash your hands properly

Take your contacts off at the end of the day. Keeping them on for longer than necessary could cause problems like infection. Take note of the do’s and don’ts of using contacts. Avoid contamination by keeping your lenses clean. Wash your hands if you need to put them on or take them off. Make sure also to use only prescribed contact lenses. Ask your doctor about it.

If you’re already using prescription glasses, make sure they are up-to-date and fit you perfectly

Ask your doctor about the different types of lenses available especially if your work involves staring at the computer screen for hours. There are also lenses that change color when you’re exposed to bright lights.

Use eye drops when necessary

Read the instructions on the label carefully. Drops like allergen-reducing eye drops should not be used frequently.

Don’t smoke

It’s bad for your health overall. If you have never tried smoking, don’t start.

Lactose intolerance is widespread and kind of distressing that affects many Singaporeans. What is lactose intolerance? It is a condition that describes that body’s inability to absorb lactose. Lactose is a sugar that can be found in your usual dairy products as well as milk. For the body to properly digest it, the small intestine will produce the lactase enzyme.

The warning signs include acne, headaches, migraines, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain/cramping, swelling/bloating in the abdomen and diarrhoea. You already identified that you have lactose intolerance and you think there is nothing that you can do about it. You just go about your daily life without consuming any dairy product or milk. But you have to know that it is crucial for your body to get nutrients from it.

It is time that you provide the body the nutrients it deserves from dairy products and milk. Here are some foods that you can consider to get lactose:

Integrate foods rich in calcium

Calcium is known to ward off osteoporosis and other bone degenerative diseases. But it is vital in your overall health more than just the bones. It is important that you integrate foods rich in calcium. Calcium can also improve heart health and control body weight. It does not end there because it can reduce your chances of colon and rectal cancer.

People who are lactose intolerant are also vitamin K deficient. Vitamin K is important in calcium absorption. Aside from bone health, it can also benefit brain function and control hormones not to mention metabolism.

You have to be vitamin K abundant so you need to consume foods like scallions, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, Brussels’s sprouts, cucumbers and broccoli.

Pair food with bone broth

Not all people appreciate the importance of bone broth. Bone broth should be an essential on your diet because it can help balance intolerances, allergies and sensitivities of the body. It is also helpful in the healing of the gut. When simmering bones (either beef or chicken), make sure that it is long.

The broth is an excellent addition to your meals that already transformed phosphorus, calcium, sulfur and magnesium for easier absorption of the body.

There are other things that you can consider for your lactose intolerance case. Always remember that there are other remedies you can consider but never ignore the nutrients that body should get.

You are what you eat. If you have an unhealthy eating habit, it is time that you take charge and lead a healthier life. Life is short and the least thing that you can do is to take good care of it so you can have the endurance to do things passionately. You can design your meals based on the things that you learned but if you want to make sure, you can always ask for a nutritionist.

There are many nutritionists here in Singapore ready to help you. They will create diet plans that will be effective. Be prepared to take away processed products and everything that is unhealthy. But what if you do not have nutritionists? You need to learn foods that are good for the body. These days, you can easily be fooled with marketing stunts. The sad thing is that many food manufacturers claim healthy food but in truth, it is just altered. You have to know what pitfalls to avoid and be an informed consumer.

Check the contents

Just think that it is for your health. The first thing that you need to do is to read the label or the ingredient list. You will be surprised that there is no legal definition of what natural is. The definition of natural usually describes a product that do not add color or artificial flavors but that can be vague.

Read the ingredients and tell yourself “I could’ve made this” then you will realize that it went on a process and that is not natural at all.

Check the sugar

Speaking of checking the contents, the particular thing that you should look out for is the sugar content. You might see energy bars, snack foods and sports drinks that contain natural sugar. This sounds okay so you bought it. You have to be careful though because whether it is natural sugar or artificial sweetener, the amount of sugar you consumed still matters.

You have to be careful with the “added sugar” claim. It is the kind of sugar that is added apart from the natural one infused by nature. Sometimes manufacturers combine the two and it is hard to differentiate the amount that comes from the two. Remember for every 4 grams of added sugar (like cane sugar, coconut sugar, syrup, etc.), you consume one teaspoon.

Check the grains

Aside from the added sugar, you have to avoid refined grains too. Why choose refined grains when you can have it naturally? The point is it is processed and the grains are not at all natural plus they are added with sugar and white flour.

Contact lenses are among the prescription medical devices that needs to be taken seriously. While it can be easy to forget that you’re wearing them, these devices actually require a lot more care than you realize. For that reason, we listed down some of the important things that you should know if you’re planning to ditch your glasses for a pair of disposable lenses.

Excessive Sun Exposure May Cause Eye Infection

Protect your eyes against the sun’s harmful UV rays the same way you protect your skin. Most eye infections that contact lens wearers get are often caused by excessive UV exposure. While most contact lens brands in Singapore claim that their product are UVA/UVB protected, eye health experts still not consider these medical devices as an acceptable replacement for light-blocking sunglasses.

Never Swim While Wearing Your Contacts

When you expose your contacts to water, you’re also exposing them to microorganisms that may harm your eyes. So if you plan to swim with your contacts on or insist on wearing them while taking a shower, consider talking to your doctor about wearing your lenses with goggles and changing into a disposable lenses to minimize the risk of getting eye infections.

Stop Reusing Your Solution

Recycling your contact lens solution is like asking to get an eye infection. All the bacteria and debris found in your contacts and eyes wash off with the solution, which is why it’s never a good idea to reuse the same solution to clean your lenses. Instead, opt to use a fresh cleaning solution every time you store your contacts. If you hate dealing with cases and solution, consider using daily disposable contact lenses instead.

Avoid Washing Your Case With Water

The best way to clean your contact lens case is to wash it with a solution, and not water, since it shouldn’t come into contact with your lenses. After cleaning your case with a solution, simply wipe it dry with a clean towel or let it air dry before putting back the lids. If you have enough budget for your eye care, however, then purchasing a brand new contract lens case would be a better option.

Stick With Trusted Cleaning Solutions

Opting for a generic solution to clean your contacts is like playing roulette. That’s because stores that sell their own solution brand actually purchase from other companies, so you won’t really know what kind of solution you’re getting. The best thing that you can do is ask your ophthalmologist about the best solution for eyes and stick to that brand. Switching solutions without asking consulting a specialist will likely cause you to develop dry eyes, allergies and other eye health issues.

Properly caring for your contact lenses is crucial, as it can greatly affect your eye health. So be sure to keep these details and tips in mind so you can fully make the most out of your contacts sans experiencing any eye infection.

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